Chapter 16 The Monster Inside

• Sofia sat curled up on the edge of the couch in the penthouse, her mind swirling with Bella’s cutting words. Her fingers clenched and unclenched against the leather cushions, a visible testament to the storm brewing within her. The quiet luxury of the room felt oppressive, as if every gilded surface was mocking her with the reality she couldn’t escape.
• The door opened with a quiet click, and Marco stepped inside. His presence filled the room instantly, a shadow that consumed every corner. He stopped a few feet from her, his sharp eyes scanning her from head to toe, taking in the rigid set of her shoulders, the defiance flickering in her gaze, and the faint tremor in her hands.
• “What happened?” he asked, his voice cold, clipped.